Volvo announced today that the plug-in hybrid version of its V60 estate, which was developed in cooperation with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall and revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, will go on sale in select markets in 2012.
The new V60 plug-in hybrid combines a 215HP 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel with a 70HP electric motor that draws energy from a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The internal combustion engine motivates the front wheels while the electric motor transfers power to the rear wheels.
The driver can choose between three driving modes: Pure, Hybrid and Power. The first mode offers electric-only propulsion for up to 50 km (31 miles), while the other two combine both motors, with "Hybrid" giving a priority to low consumption and "Power" to maximum performance.
The batteries can be fully charged in about five hours from a regular household outlet.
The V60 Plug-in hybrid has a maximum driving range of 1,200 km (746 miles) and according to Volvo, returns a combined fuel consumption of 1.9 lt/100 km (123.8mpg), though this figure includes the use of the electric motor.
The automaker said that the cost of running on electricity in Sweden has been calculated at about 25 kronor (EUR 3.0 or US$3.7) per 100 km (62 miles).
"One important aspect of the project was to retain the Volvo V60's excellent driving pleasure, high safety standard and luxurious comfort," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. "At the same time, average CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be halved compared with what is available on the market today," he added.
Volvo has yet to announce pricing and more specific details on availability, but said that due to the cost of the battery pack, the V60 plug-in hybrid will be more expensive than regular versions.
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